Susun Weeds Wise Woman Forum

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I like to store my dry herbs in glass jars...in a dark cupboard.I also like to store herbs in the freezer...in glass jars.If I'm going to be using a plant often and plan on it being used up in a short time then a paper bag works as a storage container.

For storage, I'd second the dark glass jars method. I've also used some stoneware lidded "Butter crocks" for smaller amounts of cooking herbs like basil/thyme/etc. Usually, big batches I just use the larger 2-quart jars, or glass "cookie jars", stored inside the cabinet out of the light.

For drying, I alternate between simply hanging bundles of fresh herbs to dry in my living room or kitchen cupboard handles, and setting up a proper drying station. For that, I have soem old (clean) window screens that I spread leaves on, and set out on the kitchen table with a very small fan blowing -near- them. I don't blow across the screens but just stir the air in the room.

Depending on how dry andsunny your climate is, I also haev been known to spread a couple handfuls of fresh plant material on a cookie sheet and stick it on the back "shelf" of my car behind the rear seats (above the trunk) while I am at work. Sun-dried! (I process tomatoes this way!) Usually I do this for mugwort and basil and the stuff I only need a small bit of at a time, but it works great. (more aromatic herbs will makethe car smell Potent, and lose some volitiles when "quick-sundried" this way, but certain herbs fare better than others.)

Likewise, hardier herbs that you don't mind getting turned into bits and pieces, you can dry by filling about 1/4 of a paper bag, and shaking it up a few times a day. This also slooowly dries them, and the shaking is important to promote even airflow while drying.

The most consistant method for drying is probably the window screen, and ceiling fan on low (or small desk fan pointed away from them) which is slow and promotes airflow all around it, preventing any moisture mold.

My favourite way, though, is hanging. It's a slow and gentle method. I feel as though the slow and gentle methods (not necessarily this one) not only retains the integrity of both the physical and energetic nutrients, along with more of its full flavour.

I prefer to hang them in my kitchen, for several reasons - first, there they are in front of me, I am not likely to forget about them, and I can check them regularly. Second, it's aesthetically pleasing and makes me feel like the old herb woman I am. Third, it just works!

But I also do use the paper bag method, though reading this thread reminds me that I have a couple of things that I need to look at.